Petitioner Arrested At Palm Bay City Hall After Battering Code Enforcement Official

suspect charged with felony battery on a code enforcement officer

A local petitioner in Brevard County was arrested Wednesday morning at Palm Bay City Hall for battery on a code enforcement officer.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – A local petitioner in Brevard County was arrested Wednesday morning at Palm Bay City Hall for battery on a code enforcement officer.

Police say at around 9:50 a.m. an individual was gathering signatures for a petition at Palm Bay City Hall and was placing signs that promoted his cause.

The cause the individual was petitioning for is unknown at this time.

“After being approached by City Attorney Andrew Lannon with information regarding a code violation, the Code Enforcement official collected the signs for removal per section 178.13 of the Palm Bay Code of Ordinances (“Signs on Property Owned by a Governmental Body”) and advised the man that signs could not be placed on City Hall grounds without the approval of the City Manager or City Council.

“At that time, the resident grabbed the City employee by the arm and pulled her back in an attempt to recover the removed signs.”

According to authorities, the Code Enforcement official returned to the building and alerted Palm Bay Police who arrived on-scene and arrested the man.

Police say the employee was rattled by the encounter and revealed evidence of “some markings on her arm.”

The man was arrested and taken into police custody and charged with felony battery on a code enforcement officer, as well as an additional felony charge for possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Gregg Lynk

‘The City of Palm Bay respects everyone’s right to free speech and encourages political discourse, but we will not stand for any kind of violence against our employees,’ said City Manager Gregg Lynk.

‘We have had peaceful demonstrations at City Hall before and there has been no issue because they simply followed the rules for posting signs. What transpired this morning was an individual unwilling to follow the guidelines on our property and showing an incredible lack of restraint.’

The identity of the individual has not been released by Palm Bay Police, at this time.